The 164th issue of Joint Line, the Society's quaterly magazine has been posted to all members.

The Winter 2014-15 issue gives updates from all departments on the North Norfolk Railway and Society. The usual features include comprehensive updates from all areas of the Railway, including photographs and reports from our annual Members' Day in October.

Click for Gallery(Three Photos)

1946 Austin K2 to Join Collection

7th December 2014

The Society is pleased to announce a further aquisition to enhance its collection, in the form of a 1946 Austin K2 2 1/2 ton dropside lorry.

The lorry is being aquired to serve two purposes - firstly, to improve and expand the growing recreation of a rural goods yard at Holt and to give the North Norfolk Railway's Junior Club a project which they can make their own, through which basic engineering skills can be taught.

The 2 1/2 ton machine was produced in great numbers between 1939 and 1949, being used widely by coal, timber and builders' merchants. Built in Austin's BMC Longbridge works in Birmingham, they were known as Birmingham Bedfords due to the similar appearance to the contemporary Bedford "0" series vehicle.

It is powered by a 3.5 litre six cylinder petrol engine of 27 RAC horse power. With a maximum speed of 35mph, the Austin K2 was often found working local deliveries. Various bodies were fitted - vans, chained flat beds (for breweries) and even some bus bodies for the smaller operator. The type aquired is a dropside type, which makes for easy loading, but ensures once full, the load is secure.

It is planned to undertake some works to the lorry, which include respraying and some minor mechanical works. It is intended that the latter will be undertaken by the Junior Club. A longer term project associated with the lorry will look to construct a Bolton & Paul style corrugated steel garage to compliment the Holt railway yard site.

The lorry is expected to arrive at the North Norfolk Railway in the new year. It will be in storage during the winter months. During the running season, it is intended to provide 'working museum' style displays with the van, along with use during NNR Special Events such as the Vintage Transport and 1940s weekends.

The container, which was delivered to the NNR in 2013 from the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre has been effectively built from scratch as the original aluminum constructed container was found to be too far gone for full overhaul. All of the fittings and fittings from the original container were removed for restoration, whilst a steel structure was fabricated to the exact dimensions of the original.

All of the work to restore the container has been undertaken by volunteers and was made possible thanks to donations to the JHCF, the Society's Carriage and Wagon fundraising group. You can find out more information and join the JHCF here.

It was decided to paint the AF container into 1960s Birdseye livery as these were used widely across East Anglia to transport fish and other frozen goods from the ports of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft across the country. All the lettering and lining on the van is traditionally signwritten.

The next stage is to bring in Conflat wagon B502824 into the works, whereby an intermediate overhaul will be undertaken over the winter months. Vacuum brakes will also be refitted as the wagon is currently unfitted.

It is hoped the AF container will make its first appearance chained to the conflat for the NNR's Spring Steam Gala on 6th, 7th & 8th March 2015.

Click for Gallery(Five Photos)

Last Pounds for Y14:2014 Appeal

5th December 2014

Fantastic progress is being made on the rebuilding of our J15/Y14 class locomotive No.564, but we need your help to raise the last &pound5,000 to close the appeal.

The locomotive boiler has now been reunited with the frames, which in turn now sit upon remachined axleboxes and wheelsets. The tender tank has also been completed and this now sits on the overhauled and painted tender frames.

A selection of the latest works photos can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail, left, which show the latest condition of the overhaul. Once all reassmbly works are complete, the engine will be run in on the East Lancashire Railway in its current works livery of unlined black.

But the shortfall of &pound5,000 in the appeal cannot be emphasised enough and we must raise this with the upmost priority. Can you help? Here's how you can:

- Download and send off a donation form to make either a single donation or set up a monthly standing order.
- Visit our Online Shop to make a one-off single donation. (Please note a &pound1 P&P charge will be added, which we cannot remove.)
- Join the Loco Club and select the J15/Y14 on your application.

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Grant for NNR Footbridges

4th December 2014

It has been announced that the M&GN Joint Railway Society will be making a &pound10,000 grant to the North Norfolk Railway's Crossing the Line Appeal, which aims to raise &pound80,000 to construct new footbridges at Sheringham and Holt.

The grant will be split 50/50 between both footbridge constructions. At Sheringham, a replica of the original structure will be made, which spanned the tracks at the Cromer end of the stations. At Holt, a much needed bridge will span both platforms, making access much easier and quicker. The design at Holt will emulate the M&GN designs commonly seen at many rural stations such as Drayton & Aylsham North.

The 'flagship' locomotive of the North Norfolk Railway, our LNER B12 took part in several photo charters in early November.

It worked runpasts and staged cameos with both Quad-Art Set No.74 and a plum and custard rake which featured LNER Gresley RB E9128E - also known as the Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale Bar Car.

A preservation first also took place, with No.8572 wearing BRITISH RAILWAYS vinyl overlays on the tender and cabsides to renumber her into an apple green BR loco as 61572. Although no members of the B12/3 class wore apple green (they were all repainted into BR black on nationalisation), it really looked the part.

A selection of pictures can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail, left.

Thank you to Stephen Leek for submitting the photographs. If you have contributions you would like to make to our website, please email them to webmaster@mandgn.co.uk.

Click for Gallery(Seven Photos)

Y14 Appeal Total Soars

11th October 2014

There is exciting news for the Y14:2014 Appeal, the total of which has soared after a very successful launch to the 'Big Push' to close the funding gap for the locomotive overhaul.

The 'Big Push' for the appeal was launched on our fifth Annual Members' Day on the 4th October. The intention of the campaign is to close the funding gap for our appeal to restore our 102 year old J15 locomotive, which is being restored into the guise of a Great Eastern Railway 'Y14' type, as she was originally built in 1912.

In less than one week, the appeal total has shot up from &pound75,000 to &pound87,000. This boost in funding has already had a massive impact, enabling us to continue at a great pace with the overhaul of the locomotive. Thank you to all who have so far answered the call.

We need to raise a remaining &pound13,000 to finish the appeal to ensure that the overhaul can be completed. Please, please donate as soon as possible to enable us to complete this momentous fast-track overhaul. We are confident that with the gap closed we will have the engine returned to the North Norfolk Railway before the year closes.

A full photographic round up of progress to date can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail, left.

How to donate to the appeal today:
- Download and send off a donation form to make either a single donation or set up a monthly standing order.
- Visit our Online Shop to make a one-off single donation. (Please note a &pound1 P&P charge will be added, which we cannot remove.)
- Join the Loco Club and select the J15/Y14 on your application.

Thank you for your support.

Click for Gallery(Six Photos)

Members' Day Review

9th October 2014

We are proud to announce that our 2014 Members' Day was a massive success, not least for the Y14: 2014 Appeal which has now reached &pound87,000.

We cannot thank our members and supporters enough for answering our call for a 'big push' towards finishing off the appeal target of &pound100,000. In just under a week, we have taken the appeal total from &pound75,000 to &pound87,000.

Members' Day was well patronised by our members and our Members' Day special formed of vehicles from the Vintage set was very popular. There was good patronage on Driver for a Fiver at Sheringham and the Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale Bar car did sterling service keeping our members and NNR shareholders refreshed.

Other attractions included the transport of our newly restored M&GN Norwich City Railway Station Horse Dray, from Weybourne (where the restoration was undertaken) to Holt, behind a fine shire horse. The dray is now on display at Holt station, standing on the former Cambridge Weighbridge.

A video review of the day can also be found via Peter Boggis's Youtube page, here.

'Big Push' for Members' Day

29th September 2014

Our fifth annual Members' Day is nearly upon us and is this coming Saturday 4th October 2014. With this in mind, we can now announce full and confirmed details of the event along with Passenger Timetables to download.

Three of the Society's locomotives - Wissington, the B12 and Brush Type Two D5631 will be in service, hauling either the 'Society Special' Vintage Set, Quad-Art Set No.74 or a rake of Mk.I coaches within which is marshaled the Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale Bar Car.

The day will mark the launch of our 'Big Push' for the Y14. We are working extremely hard to close the gap in our Y14:2014 Appeal which currently stands at &pound75,000. We are confident that all our members attending will help us in raising a significant proportion of the outstanding funds required for the appeal.

At Sheringham the M&GN Circle will be holding a display on Platform Two. Driver for a Fiver mini-footplate experiences will operate from both platforms between trains. Download the timetable for more information.

At Weybourne, shed tours of Weybourne Works will offered to visitors and the Society's bookshop will also be open.

At Holt, the William Marriott Museum will be open to visitors. The newly restored horse dray will also be on display after being horse-drawn from Weybourne to Holt in the morning.

To obtain free travel, please bring your membership or shareholder's card with you on the day, and present it at Sheringham or Holt ticket office to obtain a complimentary ticket on the day of travel. You must obtain a ticket, as presentation of a card alone is not sufficient for free travel.

The 163rd issue of Joint Line, the Society's quaterly magazine has been posted to all members.

The Winter 2014-15 issue gives updates from all departments on the North Norfolk Railway and Society. This issue includes extensive photographic coverage of the Diesel Gala in June and the Autumn Steam Gala. Of particular interest is the launch of a NNR appeal to raise funds for footbridges at Sheringham and Holt.

Yesteryear is well represented with articles covering:
- Steve Allen's photographic record of building the extension to Holt.
- The biographies of those commemorated on Melton constable's war memorial.
- Adrian Vaughan relate the coming of Whitaker's tablet apparatus to the M&GN.
- Ray Bullock recounts a difficult 'special' he fired in 1955.
- Two photos featuring the K2 class of locomotive.

The usual features include Keith Ashford's comprehensive update of the overhaul of the Y14 and progress on the 2-10-0 WD and, for narrow gauge enthusiasts, Robin Monday's report is of two Belgium-based steam engines.

The Famous Forties!

16th September 2014

The North Norfolk Railway is battening down the hatches in preparation for the Famous Forties weekend, on the 20th & 21st September.

Billed as the weekend of 'Spam, Steam and Spitfires', the Society's B12 and Quad-Art Set No.74 will be in traffic, alongside a host of other locomotives from the NNR home fleet.

The Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale Bar Car will also be in service, with special 'Battle of Britain' Real Ale on tap.

Timetables for the event are already available and on sale inside 'The Forties Gazette', a special newspaper produced for the event. Copies are on sale in all NNR shops.

Click for Gallery3 Photos

Y14: Steaming Again!

14th September 2014

We are proud to announce a major milestone in the comprehensive overhaul of our J15/Y14, with the successful passing of an 'out of frames' steam test on the locomotive's boiler on Tuesday 9th September.

The Society is now preparing for a big push to close the gap in the appeal total, which currently stands at over £72,000 of the £100,000 total.

The massive generosity of supporters to date has led to the great progress made so far, which with this latest good news now includes the steaming of our Y14 in 2014! This has been preceeded by some significant boiler works on the inner firebox and firehole door - all made possible and paid for by the appeal fund.

Extra works have been identified, which have included the manufacturing and machining of new expansion links to replace life expired originals. The cost of which has unfortunatly placed greater strain on appeal funds. Therefore, we must ask for greater support more than ever to reach the appeal total and complete the overhaul.

With this in mind, we will be undertaking a 'Big Push' at our 2014 Members Day on Saturday 4th October. With three Society engines in traffic, along with the Vintage Set and Quad-Art Set No.74 and free travel for all Society members and NNR shareholders, it is a day not to be missed.

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August Dates for Muddle Bar

18th August 2014

The Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale Bar Car will be out in traffic for several dates at the end of August.

Starting this coming Friday 22nd August, the vehicle will be in service throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend with draught Real Ale on tap (whilst stocks last!) and all number of other delights. The bar now serves Spirits too, so even those with finer tastes are now catered for.

Then on the following weekend, the vehicle will be in traffic for the North Norfolk Railway's Grand Steam Gala. The gala hosts seven steam locomotives, including new NNR resident B1 61306 Mayflower which arrives on the Railway today.

The bar car will also be in service for the 1940s Weekend and our 5th Annual Members' Day on 4th October. Dates for August are as follows:

Full details have been announced for our fifth annual Members' Day, which will take place on Saturday 4th October 2014.

Members' Day is our way of saying thank you to all our 3000 members and all NNR shareholders, with free travel all day to such supporters.

A special timetable will be in place for the day, which will see as many Society engines and items of rolling stock in service as possible. B12 8572 and Class 31 D5631 will be in traffic, as will our Quad-Art Set No.74. Wissington, which will be visiting from the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, is expected to haul the Vintage Set.
The focus of the day will be on working to top up the remainder of the Y14:2014 Appeal, which currently stands 30% short of the target. We must raise these funds in order to steam our J15/Y14, on which much work has already taken place for the most full and comprehensive overhaul the engine has ever received since being built.

The Society shop at Weybourne will of course be open, as will be the Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale Bar Car. We hope to also offer visitors shed tours of the rapidly expanding Weybourne works, subject to ongoing construction works being in a safe condition.

To obtain free travel, please bring your membership or shareholder's card with you on the day, and present it at Sheringham or Holt ticket office to obtain a complimentary ticket on the day of travel. You must obtain a ticket, as presentation of a card alone is not sufficient for free travel.

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Galas Galore!

6th August 2014

August and September will be two busy months for M&GNJRS locomotives, with events on both the North Norfolk Railway and Mid-Suffolk Light Railway.

At the end of the month, the NNR will host its annual Grand Steam Gala, with seven steam locomotives in traffic. Attractions include visiting engines 7820 Dinmore Manor and 'Black 5' 45305, alongside 92203 Black Prince and 1982 Ring Haw which both return after overhaul. The Society's B12 8572, Quad-Art set and demonstration freight train will both be in traffic, as will the Muddle and Go Nowhere Bar Car for the duration of the event, including special evening Real Ale trains.

On the Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway will be hosting their 'Light Railway Gala', which will feature the Society's 0-6-0ST 1700 Wissington alongside two visiting 0-4-0ST Bagnall locomotives, No.2452 Jubilee and No.2565 which will be visiting from the East Anglian Railway Museum and Northamptonshire respectively.

The bar car will be out in service on both Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July 2014 as part of the event and will be marshalled in 'Set C' for the duration of the weekend. Trains with the bar car depart Sheringham at 0902, 1102, 1302, 1502 and 1702 and Holt at 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600 and 1745.

'Set C' will be hauled by Class 37 D6732 on Saturday 5th and by our own Class 31 D5631 on Sunday 6th. The bar car will make five round trips and connections with all four trains are easily possible from all stations with a half-hourly timetable. Two other steam locos and a DMU will be in service to support the festival.

On Saturday heritage buses reign supreme with a might display of all types including rides between Cromer, Sheringham and Holt. On Sunday, the Railway is host to over 400 exhibits including all manner of classic cars, buses, motorbikes and vehicles, spread right across the Railway.

Click for Gallery(8 Photos)

Freeze on Y14

30th June 2014

Don't worry - nothing is on hold for the overhaul of our J15/Y14 locomotive! In fact it's quite the contrary, because brand new parts for our J15 7564 / Y14 564 loco have been in the chiller to continue with the fast pace of works on the overhaul of the loco.

The engine, which has been under overhaul at the Riley & Son (E) workshops of Bury, Lancashire has had new cylinder liners fitted this week. This dramatic process involves cooling the spun cast liners in liquid nitrogen, which has a boiling point of -196 degrees C (−321 degrees F). This extreme cooling allows the liners to sufficiently contract, allowing them to be slid into position inside the cylinder casting.

The operation is one of skill, good judgement and quick timing, for if the liners warm sufficiently, they become wedged inside the cylinder bores and the only way to remove them is by machining them out and starting from scratch. Needless to say, the operation to fit new liners to the J15 / Y14 was a successful operation.

A full set of photographs covering the operation can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail, left - and you can also watch a short video of the work on Youtube or on our Y14:2014 appeal page.

The appeal total for the Y14:2014 appeal stands at over &pound70,000 - and donations are still coming in thick and fast, helping us reach ever nearer to our &pound100,000 target. Help us achieve our goal and get the Y14 back in steam for 2014 by donating today.

The club launched over the Diesel Gala weekend, and has been established to radically change the way Diesel locomotives and multiple units are funded. For the first time since it was established over two years ago, members of the public can now officially join and support the Weybourne Traction Group, which promotes NNR diesel running days and events such as the Diesel Gala.

Through joining and supporting the club, members' contribitions will help to support the increased maintenance, overhaul and improvement of the Diesel traction fleet on the North Norfolk Railway, of which a Class 03, 11, 25, 31 & 37, plus a Class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) and German-build Diesel Railbus (DRB) are included in the scheme.

Thanks to the great start, members' contributions are already swelling the coffers and will enable us to grant funds to the first Weybourne Traction Group Diesel Club sponsored project. We have a great deal of work ahead of us, with bodywork repairs due to both the Class 31 and Class 25 along with a comprehensive overhaul ongoing with the Class 101 DMU, of which the power car is currently under overhaul.

So if you would like to help see us complete these projects, others like them and show your support for the Weybourne Traction Group, get involved today and join the Diesel Club!

The M&GN Joint Railway Society has announced that from 1st January 2015, membership fees will be marginally increased.

The Society has resisted increasing fees for several years, with the current rate held since 2010, but with significant cost increases in recent times, the Trustees of the Society now feel it appropriate that fees should more closely reflect the costs incurred to run the Society whilst also bringing our membership fees in line with many of the other premier heritage Railways of Britain.

Membership Fees are a core tenant of our income, which helps us undertake all of the massive and varied projects in support of the North Norfolk Railway, from loco overhauls, Carriage and Wagon restorations and offering grant funding for NNR civil engineering projects, right through to funding our activities in the William Marriott Museum at Holt, along with covering the cost of printing and distributing Joint Line.
From 2015, annual adult membership will be &pound22, seniors &pound20, joint adult &pound33, joint senior &pound30, family &pound43 and junior &pound10. The full schedule of current membership fees is available on the 'Join' section of this website.

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Joint Line Issue 162 Posted

12th June 2014

The 162nd issue of Joint Line, the Society's quaterly magazine has been posted to all members.

The Summer 2014 issue gives updates from all departments on the North Norfolk Railway and Society, with the latest news including a report from the NNR's managing director Hugh Harkett, which carries an upbeat message about the performance of not just the Railway but the new Restoration and Overhauls business. The good news continues with reports on a number of NNR events proving successful. On the locomotive front there is an in depth report by Keith Ashford on the work being carried out to make the J15 a GER Y14 class locomotive with many photos and the other locomotives have not been forgotten, particularly the Standard 4 and the Black 5. Carriage and Wagon has the usual updates to the work on the coaches and the Society's coaches and wagons, whilst the signalling is being covered in more detail mostly through the use of photos.

There are two articles that look back to the First World War. Dave King's 'From the Sidings' shows some of the paperwork in the William Marriott Museum's collection regarding the changes to working practice as a consequence of going to war and the effects of the war. The Melton Constable memorial, that names the dead of local people in two world wars, has amongst those mentioned many M&GN employees. In the first or two parts, Chris Harley has researched all those on the memorial to give a fuller picture of their, sometimes brief, lives. The historical section is completed by another Adrian Vaughan article on the M&GN's locomotives and drivers and Doug Watts rounds up his look at the 'Leicester'.

Joint Line is the quarterly magazine of the M&GN Joint Railway Society and is posted quarterly to all 3000 members. It is one of the UK's highest quality railway journals and is one of many membership benefits of joining the M&GN Joint Railway Society.

Click for Gallery(3 Photos)

D is for Diesel!

9th June 2014

The M&GN Joint Railway Society and North Norfolk Railway will be firing on all cylinders next weekend with the annual Summer Diesel Gala event, which is organised by the Weybourne Traction Group.
The Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale bar car will be out in force for it's second big event of the year, with the focus on the special evening 'Beerex' trains which run on Friday and Saturday night. These special trains run four four round trips, running non-stop between Sheringham and Holt giving a fantastic experience, especially with draught real ale and Fish & Chips available for passengers to enjoy on the move.

The event also marks the official launch of the brand new Weybourne Traction Group Diesel Club, which for the first time gives supporters of NNR Diesel traction a chance to join the Weybourne Traction Group and support the majority of diesel traction on the NNR, including the Society's own Class 31. (You can still of course support D5631 through the Loco Club). There will be a raffle for three footplate passes, to use on a date to be agreed in advance, which will be awarded to members who join the club before the 30th June 2014.

The Society's Class 31 will of course be in service during the event, with it booked to work on Friday and Saturday.

Due to last minute changes in the lineup, Class 50 50007 will now no longer work. This is stated as due to circumstances outside the NNR or the Weybourne Traction Group's control. Additionally, it has been reported that testing and commissioning works on Class 25 25057 cannot be completed in time for the event, so this locomotive will also not been in use.

It's not all bad news though, as Class 14 from the East Lancashire Railway has been sourced to replace both these engines and will work the trains which 25057 was booked to work along with the Friday evening Beerex specials. This is the first time a Class 14 or a Diesel-Hydraulic has worked on the NNR, and will also be the first time a heritage Railway has put on a fleet of seven BR green locos for a gala event.

Further information on the Diesel Gala, including downloadable timetables can be found on the NNR Website Diesel Gala page.

Introducing the Diesel Club

3rd June 2014

The M&GN Joint Railway Society and North Norfolk Railway are proud to announce the official launch of a brand new fundraising club for diesel traction permantently based on the NNR.

The Weybourne Traction Group Diesel Club has been established to raise funds for much of the NNR's Diesel fleet, giving a fantastic boost to the investment, maintenance and overhaul of the majority of diesel traction on the NNR. The club also offers, for the first time a chance for supporters of the Diesel scene on the NNR to join and become members of the well-established Weybourne Traction Group which is the NNR's Diesel operations champion and volunteer-run promotion group which publishes running day information along with organising special events.

The club will be officially launched over the Diesel Gala event over the 13th to 15th June 2014.

For all new members joining up to 30th June 2014, there will be a special raffle of three footplate ride passes for new members. All members who join before this date will be automatically entered into the prize draw. The footplate ride pass allows for the travel in the cab of a diesel loco, multiple unit (or steam if preferable) on a day to be aranged in advance. Full details will be passed to the lucky three winners in due course.

Membership is obtained through a monthly banker's order of &pound2 per month, with the preffered amount being &pound5 a month or more. Full details on the club can be found on the Diesel Club page of the website. To join, download an application form or pick up a leaflet at any NNR station.

Volunteering Open Day

3rd June 2014

Have you ever wanted to volunteer on the NNR but never been sure where to start? Well, come along to a volunteer's Open Day on Saturday 7th June at Holt to find out more about the roles available to volunteer for on the Railway.

There are over 500 volunteers on the North Norfolk Railway, each of them does their bit to run our charming and friendly heritage railway in beautiful North Norfolk. The event opens the doors of the Railway to show you some of the jobs that can be done on the Railway and gives participants a chance to get an idea of what volunteering is like without commitment or obligation.

The event is held at the 'Railway Institute' at Holt - this is the building immediately on the right hand side as you drive through the station gates. The entrance door is nearest the road.

The day's event has a special focus on the roles available for station staff for all three stations and other "clean hands" roles, although attendees will be more than welcome to enquire about other roles on the NNR.

There will be two sessions, giving an introduction to the Railway and it's environ. The first begins at 0945, the second at 1330, starting with the most important Rule Book observation you'll need to know on the Railway - Rule 0 (That's a cup of tea in layman's terms!). There is no need to book - just arrive in good time and you will be immediately welcomed - ask for Richard Edwards at the Railway Institute at Holt if you need directions or get lost!

Each session will last around three to three and a half hours in total, during this time attendees will be shown round all three stations by the Station Masters at each station to see what roles are available and to meet some friendly faces. After the tour around the Railway, attendees will return to Holt for further information and a chance to sign up there and then - and if you really like it, a chance to sort out a first date to start volunteering on the NNR. You won't regret it!

If you'd like to find out more information on volunteering before the workshops on the Open Day, you can find out more details about volunteering with the Society on this website, and on the North Norfolk Railway website.

Y14:2014 - Nearly There!

27th May 2014

This week we have breached yet another important milestone for our Y14:2014 appeal, with the breach of the &pound70,000 mark.

The overhaul is now in full swing with all manner of works being undertaken at Riley & Sons (E) engineering workshops in Bury, Lancashire. Many of the tasks undertaken are now being completed, which means the locomotive is beginning to be reassembled.

Thanks to some tremendous and most generous support from our members and benefactors, we have broken the back of our massive &pound100,000 appeal and are very much on the home straight. But we still have a sizable hurdle to overcome with just short of &pound30,000 still required to top the appeal.

Here's how you can help restore the Y14 today:
- Download and send off a donation form to make either a single donation or set up a monthly standing order.
- Visit our Online Shop to make a one-off single donation. (Please note a &pound1 P&P charge will be added, which we cannot remove.)
- Join the Loco Club and select the J15/Y14 on your application.

Thank you for your support.

Click for Gallery(4 Photos)

Horse Dray Nears Completion

22nd May 2014

The ongoing restoration of an original Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway horse dray, believed to be from Norwich City station is nearing completion, with final painting and assembly underway.

The dray arrived to us in a sorry state and was given to us by the Gressenhall Museum where it had been in store.

The dray features a number of original details, including 'M&GNJR' engraved wheel bearings. Once complete, it will go on permanent display at Holt, where it is hoped we will add to the ever growing goods yard complex.

The Dad's Army sees Weybourne become Walmington-on-Sea once again (Weybourne was used as a filming set in the original series), with exhibits including Jones' van from the Thetford Museum. The Summer Diesel Gala sees an intensive timetable in operation, with visiting mainline locomotives and evening 'Beerex' trains. See the seperate news story below for more information on the gala event.

The bar will also be open between the two dates, on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June.

The bar will be selling the usual array of draught real ale, lagers, wines, soft drinks and hot drinks. Click the thumbnail left to view the full list, including the selection of Real Ales.

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Y14:2014 Appeal May Update

9th May 2014

If you had thought that progress on the restoration of our J15 locomotive to the guise of a GER Y14 had slowed, you would be wrong! It's been a while since the last update on the progress of the Y14:2014 Appeal and since then two things have happened: work has increased at an ever quickening pace on the locomotive, with more staff now assigned to the overhaul and appeal donations continue to come in at a near daily rate, helping push the appeal total ever nearer the &pound70,000 milestone and &pound100,000 total.

We still have a massive task ahead of us. This overhaul is the most comprehensive the locomotive has ever received in preservation and is possibly the most comprehensive overhaul since she was built 102 years ago in 1912. Quite literally every nut, bolt and rivet is being replaced - and that is no exaggeration.

Click on the thumbnail, left, to see some of the most recent in the works photos and view more at the bottom of the appeal page. Work to date includes:

- Boiler work has begun. After assessment the boiler inspector reports that the engine does not need retubing.
- Tender frame and loco driving wheel painting is complete.
- Aesthetically, reproduction safety chains have been added to the rear bufferbeam.
- Work to repaint the frames and motion into 'Primrose' Yellow is underway.
- The new profile cab roof is taking shape.
- An entirely new bufferbeam is ready for riveting in place in the traditional manner.

The above list is just but a small glimpse into the hundreds of tasks which have already been undertaken, representing months of work on the locomotive. This has all been possible thanks to the generosity of our members and supporters who have already donated to the appeal. We cannot thank you enough for your support so far, it has been fantastic.

If you have not yet donated to the appeal, NOW is the time to do so if you wish to help us achieve our target to have our Y14 in steam by the end of the year. This is still achievable, but only if we can complete the appeal.

How to help us today:
- Download and send off a donation form to make either a single donation or set up a monthly standing order.
- Visit our Online Shop to make a one-off single donation. (Please note a &pound1 P&P charge will be added, which we cannot remove.)
- Join the Loco Club and select the J15/Y14 on your application.

Thank you for your support.

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J15s Remembered Released

8th May 2014

The M&GN Joint Railway Society is proud to announce the release our second Locomotives Remembered book, with the latest edition in the series covering the J15s.

Edited by Joint Line editor Dennis Greeno, the book contains a full history of the class written by Lyn Brooks and John Watling of the Great Eastern Railway Society and further recollections from the Society's Joint President, Dick Hardy.

The book compliments the previously published B12s Remembered title, which examined the class through the words and recollections of three prominent railwaymen who worked on 61572 and other B12s like her.

You can find out more about Society Mail Order here and also download an Online Shop Catalogue to view our full range of new books, DVDs & Society gifts. If you have any shop enquiries, please email weybournebookshop@mandgn.co.uk

Click for Gallery(4 Photos)

AF Container Progress

7th May 2014

Progress on the restoration of our 'AF' Container wagon load has been soldiering on in the Carriage and Wagon workshops at a steady pace, with a new steel frame now complete.

We inherited our 'AF' Container from the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton Road last year, with the intention that it would sit atop of our already restored BR Conflat, B502824. 'AF' Containers were the forerunner to the modern Freightliner container trains of today, so it's preservation is important, even if not as glamorous as some other restorations and will help us show how freight services on the Railway changed over the years.

The container inherited was in poor condition, so we have constructed a very substantial metal frame, on which the salvaged aluminum sheets will be bolted. This will give the container a new lease of life and should see it last for many more years to come.

The 'AF' container restoration is supported by the Joint Heritage Coach Fund (JHCF) and undertaken entirely by volunteers. If you would like to support this project, and others like it, you can either become a member of the JHCF or volunteer in our Carriage & Wagon (and Locomotive) sheds. Email member@mandgn.co.uk for further information.

Click for Gallery(2 Photos)

Gearing up for the Diesel Gala

29th April 2014

The M&GN Joint Railway Society is gearing up to support the Weybourne Traction Group's annual Summer Diesel Gala event over the 13th, 14th & 15th June 2014.

The Society's former Norwich shedded Brush Type Two (Class 31) D5631, now back in traffic following engine repairs, will be in service on the Friday and Saturday of the event, alongside home engines Class 37 D6732, Class 25 25057 and Class 08 D3940. The gala will be the last event for 47367 before leaving the Railway for pastures new and will be a gala first for the Class 08 which will operate brake van rides at Weybourne.

The event this year commemorates fifty years since the closure of the Sheringham to Melton Constable line. With this in mind, three classic East Anglian designs will visit the Railway in the form of Class 40 D306, courtesy of Boden Rail and two Class 20 locomotives - D8188 and D8059 from the Severn Valley Railway, courtesy of the Somerset & Dorset Locomotive Company Ltd.

Our ever popular Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale Bar Car will return once again and plays host to two special evening 'Beerex' services on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Fish & Chips are also available on these services as an extra - see the North Norfolk Railway website for full details on the Diesel Gala event.

Click for Gallery(4 Photos)

50 Year Closure Commemorations

1st April 2014

The North Norfolk Railway and the M&GN Joint Railway Society are gearing up for what will be one very memorable weekend on the NNR, with a special 1960s weekend to commemorate 50 years since the closure of the Sheringham to Melton Constable line under the Beeching Axe.

The last train to run under British Railways ran on Saturday 4th April 1964, and we will be running special services almost 50 years to the day on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April 2014.

The Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale Bar car will be in service, sporting the usual refreshing array of draught real ales and all the other refreshments you'd expect to find in such a fine establishment. British Railways Standard 4 2-6-0 76084 will be hauling the bar on Saturday, and our very own former Norwich engine, Class 31 D5631 will be doing the same on Sunday. Due to a Sunday lunch train also being in service, the bar will make two round trips in the morning, and will be stabled in Platform 3 on Sunday between 1330 and 1445.

Class 31 D5631 will also make a round trip in the afternoon on the goods train, which will be an enjoyable and highly authentic recreation. For the first time ever, the DMU is the star of the show as they were the last passenger trains to work the line.

Visitors are encouraged to wear clothes of the period - "Dress jazzy and look smart" being the tagline! It is hoped that several local 'Mods' will be visiting the railway, setting up shop on Platform 2 at Sheringham with their collection of Vespa motorcycles. On Sunday, look out for the NNR's own traveling skiffle band Phil and the Eccentrics who will be making a debut performance out the back of an Austin A35 van.

For a copy of the timetable, real ale list, event poster and a sneak peek at the closure notices that will be going up on stations over the weekend, click on the thumbnail, left.

"Team Wissington" - her gang of faithful volunteers - have made excellent progress on all aspects of her scheduled winter maintenance work, with all tasks now complete. The suspension and gear arrangements received much attention with the engine lifted to allow adjustment of the springs and axleboxes to allow greater clearance between the axleboxes and the horn stays. In layman's terms, the way she sits on her wheels has been adjusted to allow for freer movement.

On 26th March, she underwent her annual steam test at Brockford under the watchful eye of the boiler inspector and successfully passed all tests, giving her another twelve months in steam.

It is planned to have Wissington return to the North Norfolk Railway in time for our annual Members' Day, which is held on Saturday 4th October 2014.

Click for Provisional Beer List

Muddle Bar Back!

26th March 2014

We are please to announce that the Muddle and Go Nowhere Bar really will be riding the rails again over the NNR's 1960s Weekend on the 5th & 6th April - dubbed They Thought it Was All Over to commemorate fifty years since the Sheringham to Holt line was closed by British Railways under the Beeching Axe.

After having to be regrettably withdrawn from the Spring Steam Gala after becoming marooned following overrunning works to construct a new inspection pit in Weybourne yard, the bar will be back for the 2014 season with plenty more real ale on tap.

We are now running the Muddle and Go Nowhere bar on some weekends, along with several special events. The bar returns for the 1960s weekend on the Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March and then again on all North Norfolk Railway 'Red' timetable weekends over Easter, May Bank Holiday and throughout the summer season.

You can catch the Muddle and Go Nowhere Bar on the following dates:

April
Saturday 5th April (1960s Weekend)
Sunday 6th April (1960s Weekend)
Saturday 12th April
Sunday 13th April
Saturday 19th April
Sunday 20th April

May
Saturday 24th May (Dad's Army Weekend)
Sunday 25th May (Dad's Army Weekend)
Saturday 31st May

Please note, all dates are provisional. Please check this website and the Society's Facebook page nearer the time for up to date information.

Click for Gallery(6 Photos)

AF Container Restoration

25th March 2014

Work has begun on the overhaul and restoration of our original British Railways 'AF' container, as part of our ongoing goods train project.

'AF' containers were traditionally carried upon conflat wagons - we have already restored one such example, this being completed between 2011 and 2012. The conflat was the forerunner to the modern freightliner train, and one of the first examples of using standardised containers to carry bulk goods.

Our container was brought to the NNR from the Buckinghamshire Railway Museum at Quainton Road, near Aylesbury but restoration has now only taken place after the completion and release into traffic of the 16T mineral wagon. Now this project is complete, we are able to proceed.

The original wooden structure of the container was found to be completely rotten to the core. It was decided that it would be best to construct a whole new all-steel skeleton structure, rather than rebuild like for like to ensure longevity. All original aluminium sheeting has been saved from the original strucure along with all fixtures and fittings. Once the container is complete, it will be housed atop the conflat wagon and will also offer a small amount of storage space for lightweight items.

Y14 Appeal Over Halfway

12th March 2014

Thanks to your continuing generosity, the Y14:2014 has now reached and breached the &pound60,000 milestone.

Although we were frustratingly unable to have the Muddle and Go Nowhere Bar in traffic for the weekend due to the overrunning inspection pit works at Weybourne (it will return for the 1960s weekend on the 5th & 6th April), we have been humbled by the generosity of our supporters who filled appeal envelopes full and brimming to get our J15 locomotive back into steam, in the guise of a Great Eastern Railway Y14.

This means we have now raised over 60% of our &pound100,000 total. We were able to raise the first &pound35,000 in less than six weeks - now help us do the same again to complete the appeal and get the J15 back on the rails!

This latest push in the appeal means further works can be completed on the locomotive, including further boiler work. The tender frames have now been painted in the final GER blue livery, along with the three driving wheelsets.

Society members will have seen a new appeal leaflet included with edition 161 of Joint Line - if you haven't yet donated to the appeal, please do so immediately. With your help, we really can have the Y14 in steam for 2014. With the current rate of progress, this is not an empty statement! Please donate today.

Real Ale Bar Service Withdrawn

5th March 2014

We regret to announce that due to overrunning works in Weybourne Yard, the Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale bar service has had to be withdrawn over the Spring Steam Gala weekend on the 7th, 8th & 9th March.

Works are currently underway in Weybourne yard to construct a new locomotive inspection pit. Due to a combination of wet weather and hard frosts, the concrete within the pit has not been able to set in time to allow the pit to be used. This has marooned the Gresley buffet vehicle (RB 9128) in the yard outside the Carriage & Wagon shed. As a result, it will not be possible to release the coach for traffic, the end result being a withdrawal of the Real Ale Bar service. Please note that because timetables have already been printed, they show the bar car as being in service. Gala guides and full working timetables will be available for purchase at the event from all ticket offices.

The Society and our volunteers are all very disappointed by this announcement but rest assured the Muddle and Go Nowhere Bar will ride the rails again, with many more dates planned for 2014. There is still a great weekend to be had over the weekend ahead on the North Norfolk Railway so please visit and show us your support.

Click for Gallery (10 Photos)

Overhauled 16T Wagon for Gala

4th March 2014

The Society's latest overhaul, that of our reclaimed 16 ton mineral wagon will be making a debut appearance in the goods train over the gala weekend after the wagon was signed off for traffic following testing.

The wagon has taken just over eighteen months to complete. After several generous members donated to the appeal for the Society to purchase it, the wagon was transported from it's former home in the private sidings of Hardingham station on the MNR. The wagon was originally based at King's Lynn, where research concluded that it was originally used as a makeshift bufferstops. After the harbour branch closed, the wagon remained, slowly decaying until purchase and transportation to Hardingham. Here it stood for several more years awaiting restoration.

On arrival at Weybourne, repairs began immediately - the effect of this being the gradual stripping of the wagon into several minor components. Much wasted metalwork was replaced, along with a new bufferbeam section. All four axleboxes were repaired and renewed and gradually the wagon was rebuilt.

After many volunteer hours, many put in by volunteer welder John Collier and Society trustee Nigel Scarlett, the mineral wagon regained it's shape and appearance. A new steel deck was constructed along with a false roof, enabling the wagon to be used as dry storage for lightweight and light sensitive materials. An ingenious drainage system was also designed, ensuring that water flowed off the wagon, rather than standing and slowly corroding the metalwork. To finish it off, a false load of ballast, much like the false top of a model railway wagon was added to give the appearance of a loaded wagon. Ballast, rather than coal was used as coal can produce sulphuric acid when combined with rainwater which would be of detriment to the wagons.

Following testing in the run up to the Spring Steam gala, the wagon was declared fit for traffic, marking the end of a year and a half overhaul. The overhaul would not be possible without the efforts of our volunteers and to the generous supporters who made the purchase of the wagon possible when the appeal was launched.

If you would like to further support Society Carriage and Wagon projects, please join the Joint Heritage Coach Fund, which leads the overhaul of projects such as the 16T mineral and other heritage rolling stock overhauls. If you would like to get involved volunteering with the Carriage and Wagon team, please email enquries@mandgn.co.uk for further details.

The 161st issue of Joint Line, the Society's quaterly magazine has been posted to all members.

The Spring 2014 issue gives updates from all departments on the North Norfolk Railway and Society, with the latest news on developments at Weybourne with the new NNR Engineering and Overhauls business and plans for the new facilities.

There are articles on the HRA/Steam Railway Readers' award for Standard 4MT 76084 and the annual publication of loco mileages on the NNR in 2013. Updates on the motive power situation include the conclusion of the B12's winter maintenance and 90775's restorations along with progress on the Y14:2014 appeal and works to date to transform the J15 into the appearance of a Y14.

A fascinating two-page photo feature, the first of two, shows the preparing of the trackbed for the extension to Holt - the line opened 25 years ago on 19th March. A history of 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley - sadly now no longer visiting the NNR - is followed by a 'rounding off' article on B1 departmental boilers in the Norwich district. Railway historian and author Adrian Vaughan continues his series on locomotives and their drivers in the formative years of the M&GN and finally, the first of a two articles features the 'Leicester' - the flagship service on the M&GN in BR days - and concentrates on the workings of the train service.

Joint Line is the quarterly magazine of the M&GN Joint Railway Society and is posted quarterly to all 3000 members. It is one of the UK's highest quality railway journals and is one of many membership benefits of joining the M&GN Joint Railway Society.

Click for Provisional Beer List

Muddle and Go Nowhere Bar Rides Again

20th February 2014

Over the three days of the North Norfolk Railway's Spring Steam Gala, Society volunteers will be out in force helping to run the event, with the Weybourne Bookshop and the Muddle and Go Nowhere Bar car open once again for the first time this year.

A provisional beer list, which is subject to conformation from the Wolf Brewery is available to view by clicking the thumbnail, left. The Muddle and Go Nowhere Bar car will be found on all trains marked with the beer glass symbol in the public working timetable and will be hosted within set 'C' during the event. Public timetables will be available from all ticket offices on the day.

The Society's B12 8572 will be out for the whole weekend, along with Quad-Art Set No.74, which will be complimented by regular gala visitor - GNR liveried N2 0-6-2T No.1744. They are joined by A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, 'Black 5' 44767, Standard 4MT 76089 and GWR 56xx 5619.

The gala runs on Friday 7th, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March 2014. Be sure to bring plenty of pennies for the Muddle and Go Nowhere Bar, the Weybourne Bookshop and if you're feeling generous, fill an envelope for the Y14:2014 Appeal.

Click for Gallery (6 Photos)

The Future is Great Eastern Blue

19th February 2014

Work is continuing at a great pace at Ian Riley's workshops in Bury, Lancashire to transform our J15 Locomotive into the guise of a Great Eastern Railway Y14.

With the Y14:2014 Appeal having breached the halfway mark, we are already making another push to raise the remaining &pound50,000 of the &pound100,000 target for the works to be completed. Following a fantastic gain in momentum, we are now getting very close to the &pound60,000 milestone.

Attention has now turned to the locomotive boiler, and with assessment of this completed, thankfully no additional work other than what we have already identified needs to take place. This means, that with all the money raised, there is still a chance to make 2014 the year of the Y14, with her in steam by the year's end - that is, if we can raise the remainder in good time. This is not a wishy-washy statement, but a genuine estimation given the rate and pace of current works, thanks to the fundraising efforts so far.

NOW is the time to dig into those pockets, get the cheque books out and donate to this appeal to see our 102 year old steam engine return to steam. We can't do it without your help and we certainly wouldn't have been able to make the great progress so far without the generosity of our appeal supporters to date. The rate of works so far have been phenominal thanks only to YOUR generosity.

You can now donate online to the appeal via our Online Shop, you can download an appeal form, make a donation when visiting the NNR or post us a cheque. Cheques can be made payable to 'Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society' and can be posted to Sheringham Station (NNR), Station Approach, Sheringham, NR26 8RA, with a covering note.

Latest photographs, straight from the works in Bury, including shots of some newly reliveried components can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail, left.

New Products in Society Shop

15th February 2014

We've added some new items into the February revision of the M&GN Joint Railway Society catalogue. These include new lapel badges, Key Fobs and Joint Line binders for the editions of Joint Line in the new style.

There are a number of ways you can purchase products from the Society. We offer a conventional mail order service, with downloadable
Mail Order Forms. You can browse the Society's current crop of new books, DVDs and merchandise through our Online Catalogue. Note the item description and record it in the mail order form - these can then be posted off. We have a quick turnaround on orders, and generally dispatch the same day as orders are received.

Many items are also available through our Online Shop, hosted by the North Norfolk Railway. All items purchased through Mail Order and the Online Shop support the Society and proceeds from sales are currently supporting the Y14:2014 Appeal.

Weybourne Bookshop will be open throughout the Spring Steam Gala event where a number of wares, including many second hand books and magazines which are not listed in our online catalogue will be available for sale. You can find the bookshop on Platform 2 at Weybourne.

We can now also take donations online for the Y14:2014 appeal. These are also handled by the North Norfolk Railway. We're getting tantilisingly close to the &pound60,000 milestone. Much work has already been completed thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us keep up the great pace of work and donate to the appeal today.

Click for Gallery(4 Photos)

'Type Two' in the Works

3rd February 2014

The Society's Class 31 Diesel Electric locomotive, D5631 has been receiving attention in Weybourne works over the winter. Along with routine examinations and maintenance, the engine has been temporarily withdrawn following the discovery of a broken component within the power plant.

A broken bridge piece was discovered inside the 'B' Bank of cylinders, this being a machined casting which has now reached the end of its working life. Thankfully our investment in spares for the Class 31 has paid off yet again, with a spare immediately sourced from the stores.

Whilst the railway has been in shutdown, D5631 has still been earning revenue and has worked driver training turns along with shunting for the Railway between stations - very much a working locomotive and a useful asset in the closed season. With 25057 out of traffic undergoing several repairs and Class 37 D6732 stored for the winter, D5631 is the NNR's first port of call.

All repairs are expected to be completed shortly and the locomotive will be on standby for the NNR's Spring Steam Gala on Friday 7th, Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th March, should it be required for emergency duties. Don't forget, you can keep up to date with all North Norfolk Railway diesel news through the Weybourne Traction Group.

Click for Gallery (7 Photos)

WD 90775 Progress at Weybourne

30th January 2014

Exciting developments have taken place over the past few weeks with the arrival of 90775's chassis into Weybourne workshops to allow assessment of the locomotive chassis to take place.

This has been proceeded by the arrival of 90775's boiler from the former Chatham Steam workshops in Kent to Weybourne following the North Norfolk Railway's acquisition of Chatham Steam. Much work has already been carried out on the boiler, with large sections of replacement platework already in place to give the boiler a new lease of life. Work is already underway on the construction of a new smokebox, which will be built from more durable material than the original which is now life expired after vastly outstretching it's original design lifetime!

The chassis inspection will be followed by the overhaul of the locomotive chassis, so that the overhauled boiler can then be placed on the frames to allow the overhaul to be completed. It is anticipated that work on all locomotive axleboxes will be required, along with any other work which will be identified by the assessment.

You can support the ongoing work on 90775 by joining the Society's Loco Club - the contributions of members have already allowed this advance progress to be achieved on the overhaul, so if you would like to see 90775 return to steam sooner rather than later, please join. It costs less than a pint of beer a month to be a member!

To view photographs of the overhaul to date, click the thumbnail left. All photographs are copyright Steve Allen.

Y14 Appeal Makes Headlines

13th January 2014

The Y14:2014 appeal has been in the news this week, with a feature in the Eastern Daily Press. Society Chairman Neil Sharpe also took to the airwaves of BBC Radio Norfolk to promote the appeal with Matthew Gudgin on 8th January.

You can read the EDP article here and listen to Neil Sharpe's interview here. The interview is at 2 hours 5 minutes in.

Thanks to this recent publicity, the appeal is now edging ever closer to the &pound60,000 milestone. Please keep those pounds coming in! If you would like to donate to the appeal, more information can be found on the Y14:2014 appeal page.

Y14:2014 - In Steam This Year?

4th January 2014

With 2014 upon us, we can proudly announce, thanks to the support of over 190 generous donors that we have breached the halfway mark of our &pound100,000 appeal after only fifteen weeks.

Our Y14:2014 appeal plans to raise &pound100,000 to return our J15 locomotive to steam, in the guise of a Great Eastern Railway Y14 as she was originally built. Over the course of her ticket, she'll then wear London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) and British Railways liveries (being transformed back into what the LNER redesignated a 'J15' at this point). This is a massive undertaking for the Society, at a time when we are also overhauling massive WD 2-10-0 90775 alongside keeping B12 8572, Wissington and Class 31 D5631 in traffic - and that's not even mentioning our rolling stock!

With this in mind, we all our members and supporters to dig deep into their pockets to help raise just over &pound44,000 to complete the appeal and let our 102 year old J15 steam once again!

Society Chairman Neil Sharpe, who is spearheading the appeal said the following: "We have really been overwhelmed by the generosity of our supporters who have already donated to this appeal to restore the Society's oldest steam loco to traffic. Their support has already allowed us to make sterling progress with many of the works to the chassis and tender already complete ahead of schedule."

"This overhaul is the most extensive the engine will have had for over sixty years, with the engine being stripped down to every single nut and bolt for a complete rebuild. It's not often we get the chance to give our engines such a thorough 'going over', but it is essential to ensure that 100+ year old engines such as our Y14 can continue steaming, hopefully for another 100 years and then some!"

"All I ask is for all of our supporters, members and anyone who enjoys watching these workhorses of the industrial age really do dig into their pockets and donate to our appeal. We've reached the halfway point now and need one last push to see us home and dry on this fantastic restoration project."

More information on the Y14:2014 appeal can be found on the appeal page, where you can also download donation forms for the appeal.

Click for Gallery (5 Photos)

Wissington Finishes Off Middy Season

2nd January 2014

The Society's plucky little 0-6-0 saddle tank Wissington saw in the new year in style with a steaming day for New Year's day on the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway at Brockford.

Wissington has been based at The Middy for the season, hauling trains throughout the year. This year she also hauled the Railway's Santa Special services, offering visitors a charming ride along the Railway's half a mile line to the 'North Pole Halt' at the end of the line.

Wissington will undergo winter maintenance at Brockford this year. It was also previously stated in Joint Line that she was to travel to the Nene Valley Railway for a Steam Gala event, this will now unfortunately no longer be going ahead.

Several photographs from the Santa Specials can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail, left. A video from Wissington's launch event on the MSLR in September can also now be viewed on the M&GN Joint Railway Society Youtube Channel.

Click for Gallery

Joint Line Issue 160 Posted

1st January 2014

A later update than usual owing to the Christmas break, to note that Joint Line Issue 160 has been posted to members. All editions were scheduled to arrive with members just before Christmas.

The 160th edition includes on the North Norfolk Railway's 2013 Autumn Steam Gala and the annual Society Members' Day, which was held on the 5th October and commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Wandering 1500 Railtour which ran 50 years ago to the day.

This is complemented by the usual roundup from the Society Chairman, NNR Managing Director, NNR General Manager and comprehensive reports on the overhauls of the J15 and WD 90775. Adrian Vaughan continues to delve into the history of the drivers and the locomotives of the early Midland & Great Northern Railway years and BR Fireman Ray Bullock examines the practices of pick up goods trains at some of the former M&GN stations.

The Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society is the supporting charity of (and major shareholder in) the North Norfolk Railway, which operates a 5¼ mile heritage railway from Sheringham to Holt.

The Society actively works to preserve, display and operate a wide range of historical artefacts which include four steam locomotives and many unique carriages and wagons.